UNIVERSITY
OF
C ALIFORNIA
MERCED
S AT U R D AY, M AY 1 2 SC HOOL OF S O C IAL S C IE NC E S , H UM ANI T I E S AND ART S S U N D AY, M AY 1 3 S C HO OL OF E NG IN E E R ING S CHO OL OF N AT U R AL S C IENC E S
U C M ERCED A LM A M ATE R “ MY MER C ED ”
I N T H E S O I L A D R E A M WA S P L A N T E D I N T H E R I C H E A RT H , J U S T A S E E D T H E G R O U N D WA S T I L L E D S O T E N D E R L Y T O C U LT I VAT E – T H E B E S T I N M E
AND THE SEED GRE W TO A GARDEN A S FAR A S I CAN SEE SHE WELCOMED ME WITH OPEN ARMS T H AT G AV E L I F E T O M Y D R E A M S
HER LANTERN’S LIGHT SHINES SO BRIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE
MY MERCED, UC MERCED MY MERCED… FROM A SEED
CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE
Dear University of California Merced Graduate: Congratulations! Today is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. You are part of UC Merced’s 13th commencement, and once your degree is conferred, you will join the more than 8,000 alumni who are already enriching the San Joaquin Valley, the state, the nation and the world. This day is the university’s opportunity to celebrate you and your achievements, our way of recognizing that you are now one of a community of scholars who have earned their degrees throughout the University of California’s 150-year history. Whether you came to UC Merced as a first-year student, transfer student or graduate student, you now are ready to embark on the next milestone in your personal and professional journeys. You will always be a part of our Bobcat family, and we can’t wait to see all the great things you will accomplish and the positive impact you will have on our society. On behalf of the UC Merced community, I congratulate you on your academic accomplishments and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Fiat Lux,
Dorothy Leland Chancellor
PROGRAM | SATURDAY, MAY 12 School of SOCIAL SCIENCES, HUMANITIES AND ARTS PROCESSIONAL MUSIC
“Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar
ACADEMIC PROCESSION
Candidates, Faculty, Senior Administration and Honored Guests
NATIONAL ANTHEM
“The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key
WELCOME REMARKS
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Performed by Kayla Jann Jimenez Blasco, Class of 2018
THOMAS W. PETERSON
DOROTHY LELAND CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS Chancellor KEYNOTE ADDRESS
CNN contributor and political commentator
STUDENT REMARKS
Santana Juanita Juache, Class of 2018
MARIA CARDONA
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES AND CONFERRAL OF DEGREES THOMAS W. PETERSON
MARJORIE S. ZATZ
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate Division
DOROTHY LELAND jill robbins Chancellor
Dean, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
ALUMNI REMARKS
Alumni Association President
ALma mater
“My Merced”
CLOSING REMARKS
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
RECESSIONAL MUSIC
“Sine Nomine” by Ralph Vaughan Williams
KEITH ELLIS, Class of 2012
Performed by ALLISON ANN T. WENDLBERGER, Class of 2018
THOMAS W. PETERSON
KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Saturday, May 12 M AR IA C AR D ON A CNN contributor and political commentator
Maria Cardona is a principal at the Dewey Square Group and leads the firm’s multicultural and public affairs practices. She launched the firm’s Latinovations, which advocates for Latino issues, guiding clients on best practices for coalition-building and support for their positions, products and brands within the Hispanic community. Cardona is regarded as one of the nation’s top 100 most influential Latinos. Well known for her work as a political commentator, Cardona is currently a CNN and CNN en Español political contributor. She appeared frequently on MSNBC, FOX, Univision and Telemundo prior to signing on exclusively with CNN. She serves on the board of directors of numerous organizations including Hoops Sagrado, New America Media, Citizenship Counts, PODER PAC, Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino and the National Hispana Leadership Institute. Cardona led the New Democrat Network’s outreach initiative nationwide as a senior vice president. Her government and political background includes service as director of communications for the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and as press secretary at the Department of Commerce. She served as a senior advisor, surrogate and spokesperson to several national presidential campaigns. She is a native of Colombia and lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and two children.
Class of 2018 | Saturday, May 12 Candidates for doctoral degree from the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
Candidates for master’s degree from the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
Patricia Cabral
Christina I. Acosta Sociology Master of Arts
Katherine Elizabeth Adams Arca
Kathleen Marie Coburn
Hala Alnagar
Antonio Aguilar
Psychological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy Psychological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy
Arthur Durazo
Psychological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy
Sociology Master of Arts
Rocco Nickolas Bowman Interdisciplinary Humanities Master of Arts
John Michael Felt
Janice Disla
Josue Alejandro Franco
Raymond George Feilner Jr.
Psychological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy Political Science Doctor of Philosophy
Psychological Sciences Master of Arts Psychological Sciences Master of Arts
Kathleen Santella Gali
Eunis Hernandez
Chanita Intawan
Jazmine D. Kenny
Trevor Z. Jackson
Auguste Yao Kouadio
Kim Cheryl McMillon
Vicente Andres Ramirez
Public Health Doctor of Philosophy Political Science Doctor of Philosophy
Interdisciplinary Humanities Doctor of Philosophy IGP World Cultures Doctor of Philosophy
Peter Joseph Reschke Psychological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy
Rhea Riegel
Interdisciplinary Humanities Doctor of Philosophy
Jessica Marie Ross
Cognitive and Information Sciences Doctor of Philosophy
Kaitlyn Tessa Provins Smith Political Science Doctor of Philosophy
Maryam A. Trebeau Crogman Psychological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy
Yuzhu Yang
Psychological Sciences Doctor of Philosophy
Public Health Master of Science Public Health Master of Science
Interdisciplinary Humanities Master of Arts Public Health Master of Science
Daniel Paul Rios
Interdisciplinary Humanities Master of Arts
Cassandra Jean Strizak Public Health Master of Science
Shadab Tabatabaeian
Interdisciplinary Humanities Master of Arts
Houa Vang
Sociology Master of Arts
David Veloz
Public Health Master of Science
Tashelle Wright Public Health Master of Science
Candidates for baccalaureate degree from the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
Jennifer Esmeralda Aguilar Mayte Aguilar Cruz Rasheda Akter Daniel Alba Guadalupe E. Albarran Lorena A. Alcantar Maria De Jesus Aldaco Mohammed Saleh Aledlah Fernando Antonio Almaraz*** Belladira Alva Alexis Alvarez Kimberly Alvarez Sandra Alvarez Guadalupe Amaya Joseph Soria Anaya Irene Andres Francisco Javier Anguiano Elizabeth Anguiano Urtiz Sierra Claire Appell* Verenize Arceo** Pedro J. Arechiga Angel Ozbaldo Arellano Katrina B. Argamosa* Selena Arias Karla Maricela Armendariz Luz Abril Armienta Taylor Ross Arrieta Astrid Arzola Vanessa Astorga
Class of 2018 | Saturday, May 12 Raul Astudillo
Jessica Marie Calderon
Tyler David Cobian
Elissa Yasmine Avelar
Frank Cameras
Kennan Neil Conner
Leslie Avina
Jose Campos
Leslie Jessica Contreras
Jose Javier Azpeitia
Christian Antonio Campos Magana
Amy Corona
Victor David Bahena Brianna Katherine Bahret Juanae Rashid Bailey Karanveer Singh Bains Nathaniel Michael Balmes Jennifer A. Baltazar Tomanik’e Champagne Banks Aymee Marilyn Barajas Faustina Barnard Neeru Basanti Miguel A. Basilio Kristian Mendoza Bautista Mariela Bazan Benjamin Jr. Belmonte Ashley Nicole Bennett Shawn W. Benson Katrina Marie Martinez Bercasio Eshu S. Bhabra Steven Michael Blackman, Jr. Alexis Blanco Kayla Jann Jimenez Blasco* Nathan Ray Bomar Jaiza Borja Oleachea Demoree Bowers Jeremy Taylor Brandau Roberto Carlos Briones Norma Angelica Briseno Lizbeth Bugarin Jaylyn Burns Jennifer Moure Cadenas Hermelinda Calderon
Jose Carlos Canela Zamudio** Javier Eduardo Cano Marissa Cano
Ashley Marie Cosio Coramarie Ashley Crandell Daisy Cruz
Alison Juliana Cao Romero
Cynthia Alejandra Cueva Flores
Brenda Capurro
Leigh Ann Cull*
Linett Carballo
Jennifer Adriani Darmawan
Jose Alfredo Cardoza Cortez, Jr.
Nina Lansang David
Israel Carlos-Silva Cristian Adan Carreno
Ana Laura De Arcos Angelica De La Cruz***
Lilian Carrera
Guillermo Benjamin De La Rosa
Rosa Isela Carrera Merales
Alejandro De La Torre
Reymar Castillo*
Ashley Michelle De La Torre
Christina Emma Castro
Jairo Hernan De La Torre
Karlagreta Cazares Avila
Gabrielle Mihkaela De Loyola
Ruben Cazarez
Carlos Luis De Mora
Brenda I. Ceja
Jacob Elijah Del Cid
Katherine Cervantes
Jonathan Delgado*
Jonathan Chan
Kyle M. Dennis
Shane Josue Charleston*
Ravneet Kaur Dhillon
Kenia Jasmine Chavez
Adriana Jackeline Diaz Mireles
Melynna Chavez Kevin Mathew Chemparathy Winnie Yunyi Chen** Joanie Cheung Raymond Chiu Hannah Choi Vivan Quynh Chu*** Troi L. Chua* Eva Magaly Cisneros Ivan Cisneros Gomez
Alejandra Emely Diaz Mireles Jessica Elizeth Diaz-Gallo Ladejah Symone Dillard Anthony James Dimento Dana Tiffany Dispun** Brian Anthony Dominguez, Jr. Drakari K Donaldson Cheyenne Ashlei Drake Sonia M. Duarte
Class of 2018 | Saturday, May 12 Cinthia Kimberly Duenas
Dilma Priscilla Galvez
Caitlyn Jean Grabill
Elizabeth Christine Duncan
Blanca F. Galvez Jimenez
Alondra Gabriela Granados
Dyani Guadalupe Duran
Victoria Gamez
Juan Granados
Theodore Christian Elpedes
Alfredo Ivan Garcia
Eliana Anita Grande
Waddah Elzofri
Ashley Garcia
Santana Davere Graves
Alejandra Escalante
Desiree Monique Garcia*
Amri Milan Gray
Joshua Kalani Esparza
Magdalena Garcia
Carlos Alejandro Guadarrama
Mariah Leah Jean Estes
Marbella Guadalupe Garcia
Marco Antonio Guadarrama
Cynthia Estrada
Odalys Yaneth Garcia
Holly Nicole Guenther
Eduardo N. Estrada
Santana Garcia*
Lorena Estrella
Sayra Alondra Garcia
Victor Eduardo Guerra-Cardoza
Yakira Atiya Evans
Dafne Yanira Garcia-Villalpando
Jacqueline Fajardo Mendez Haley Marina Falzon Claudia Fariasvera Tamara Diamond Favors Ting Feng Daniel Pamittan Fernandez Jovana Fernandez Mario Jr Ferreira Alma Yvette Flores David M. Flores Javier Daniel Flores
Naomi Gupta
Dennis P. Garrison
Andrea Gurrola
Joshua Timothy Garry
Christian Gutierrez
Viridiana Garza
Jailene Gutierrez***
William S. George
Marcella Gutierrez
Elizabeth Mary Anne Gerber
Eric Luis Guzman
Katia Gilbon Morales Mariela Godoy** Adriano DorĂŠ Gomes Da Costa Natalie Gomez
Alessandra Kim Fontana***
Hardy Gomez-Olivas
Jocelyn Dominique Foster Getsemani Fragoso Marisa Christina Fragoso* Kristy Yesenia Frausto Donato Vittorio Frazier Kevin Fregoso Natalie Tatiana Frost* Vanessa Xochitl Galaviz* Marina Gallegos
Yijia Guo
Kesia Karina Garibay
Mitzy Jazmin Flores Sandoval Jaime Lynn Ford, Jr.
Grecia Alejandra Guerrero
Oscar Gomez Dominique Desiree Gonzales John Luis Almoite Gonzales Maya Nicole Gonzales Alejandra J. Gonzalez Dolly Gonzalez Evelyn Gonzalez Julio Cesar Gonzalez, Jr. Karina Gonzalez Mariana Gonzalez Salvador Gonzalez, Jr.
Jessi Anne Hagelshaw* Haley Jordan Halsey Madison Rae Haynie Seng Her Yamilecs Hernandez Karina Gabriela Herrera Sydney Mariah Herring-Alderete Brooke Leann Hickerson Dominique Alexis Hill Taylor Leigh Hodson** Justin Ira Holtermann** Gabriel Donovan Hornbuckle Jiqi Huang* Javonte B. Hubbard Jocelyn Huitron Gutierrez Gabriel Shaw Hulbert
Class of 2018 | Saturday, May 12 Alexander Thanh Huynh*
Amber Marie Labra
Johanna Rossery Lopez-Romo
Alexandra Nhan Huynh
Manjot Ladhar
Andrea Yzabel Loreto
Edgar Canek Ibarra
Khanh Linh M Lam
Lawrence Alexander Louie, II
Maria Guadalupe Ibarra
Alejandra Lamarque Velazquez *
Christian Alexander Lucero Gates*
Noelle Ann Lammouchi**
Kimberly Luna
Kiabeth Landa
Jorge I. Luna Monterrey
Christia Langston
Kelly Marie Luthy
Cynthia Maria Larios
Antony Ly
Rebekah Noelle Latronica**
Arely Macias
Karla Leana
Richard Macias
Chee Lee
Valeria Macias
Der Lee
Susana Madrigal
Nhou Lee
Guadalupe Madrigal-Noyola
Tiffany Lee
Eric Julian Magana Mendoza
Xin Ni Lee
Dakota Van Mai
Ruben Lemus
Stephanie M. Maldonado
Mabel Len
Marco Antonio Manon Romero
Deborah Chidinma Ikenador Jessica Renee Imes Jake T. Ingraham* Jessica Chandra Inn Kalan L. Jackson Seung Won Jeong Devina Andrea Jimenez Laura Daniela Jimenez Garcia Gregory Brian Jones Jr. Nia Kamil Jones Akkeya Tallana Joyner Santana Juanita Juache*** Karina Juarez Denissa Itzayana Juarez Garcia
Arely Leon Mejia
Jenella Joyce Ganio Julian
Jessica Leon Mosti
Matthew James Jurilla
Selena Marie Lewis-Chavez
Mir Kameron Tabatabai Kashani
Luz Mariela Leyva
Anubhav Parkash Kaur Harmandeep Kaur Manjinder Kaur Simerpreet Kaur** Vannrithy Danny Kem Sea Jin Kim Sidney C. Kim Joshua Marsean Kimble Cory James Kling Jared Andrew Knittel Shirley Kong Monika C. Kumar Kenneth Michael Kwong
Cindy Li Por Arng William Joshua Lim Destinee Lima Lizbet Limeta Isaac Christopher Limon Lihai Lin Stephanie Linares Alejandro Llamas Edwin Ivan Lombera Colleen Nicole Lopez Karen Esmeralda Lopez Kimberly Lopez Katia Yazmin Lopez Santillan Katia J. Lopez Santillan
Lisette Victoria Manriquez Diana Vianey Manriquez Gonzalez Yuriyah Vaugn Manus Rocco John Manzone** Karen Yaneth Marcos Morelia Marines Adam Samuel Markowitz Brandon Martin Levi Timothy Martin Emily Xiomara Martinez* Esteban Antonio Martinez Eva Andrea Martinez Gustavo Ramirez Martinez, Jr. Johana Elizabeth Martinez Maricela Monica Martinez Ricardo Martinez
Class of 2018 | Saturday, May 12 Viviana Martinez
Maiv Ntxawm Moua
Gautam D. Panakkal
Yasmin Jobana Martinez
Tejveer Singh Muhar
Nathan Sean Parmeter**
Josue Jonatan Martinez Marquez
Cinthia Karina Muniz
Yaqueline Airam
Alma Gloria Munoz
Parra Aragon
Elias Zachary Munoz II
Patrick L. Pascual
Andres Murillo
Gunjan Vinod Pasi
Dylan Thomas Myrie
Anthoney Jawaun Paulisich
Joana Mari Castillo Narvarte*
Kevin Alexander Pena
Evelyn Nava*
Natalie Melisa Pena Marquez
Kimberly Martinez-Melchor Divya F. Mattathil Maggie Marie Medina* Marissa Danielle Mehr Vanessa Mejia-Sanchez Luis Alexander Mejia-Santana Gerardo Antonio Melgar Marlene Mendez Gabriella Elizabeth Mendoza Sara Mendoza** Magali Michelle Mendoza Vega Gustavo Mexicano Gilberto Meza Savannah Meagan Millard Anthony James Miller Brooks Ryan Miller* Maritza Miramontes Ryan Kazim Mirza Marissa Marie Mojica Anastasia Kailyn Mondy Elsa Cristina Monterrey Emilio Andre Monterrubio Ayanna Marina Morales Denixa Auxiliadora Morales Leticia Morales Jennifer Sarhia Moreno Lesley Jackelyn Moreno Araceli Yazmin Morfin Genesis Fernanda Morfin Galindo Grant Alexander Morgan
Noel Nevarez Rodriguez Philip Thanh Nguyen Stephanie Marie Noriega Kira Yuja Norton Jessica L. Nunez Chukwuemeka Rawlins Nwando Eloy Mendez Oakley Ixchel Melanie Ochoa Morales Elizabeth Ochoa Sierra* Adriana O’Day Mario Junior Olea Ruben Olmos Eva Fernanda Ordonez Karina Alejandra Ornelas Blanca Esthela Orozco David Israel Orozco Cindy Ortega Manuel Ortiz Jr Mario Alberto Ortiz Erick Anthony Osorio Estevan Osuna Eve Amondi Owino* Kimberly Anai Ozorio Estephanie Pacheco Andrina Linda Padilla** Esmeralda Karen Palafox
Monica Adriana Perales*** Denisse Peralta Kimberly Magdalena Peralta Eva Paulina Perez Jessica Perez Jerehmy Nicolas Perez-Zelaya Bao Chau Ngoc Pham Joy G. Pham Taylor Phan Ryan Craig Pickering Shainamel Almazan Pilapil Melissa Pineda Cecilia Plascencia* Sabrina Jazmine Plaza Emiliano Jose Plazola Robert Louis Porcella Chelsea Marie Puente Maria Carolina Puglisi Alexus Guadalupe Ramirez** Cesar Ramirez Luis Steven Ramirez Claudia Ramirez Vargas* Paulina Ramirez-Vargas* Paola Ramos
Class of 2018 | Saturday, May 12 Alessandra Felicia Rea
Savanah Saavedra
Lirio Jazmin Rebolloso-Sanchez
Fey Orn Saechao
Kavya Medini Reddy Asia Reed Miguel Angel Reyes, Jr. Priscilla Janine Reyes Annalise Michelle Reynosa Soren James Richards Mariah Nicole Ring Evaristo Rivera Joshua C. Robles Abigail Elizabeth Rodas Jason Timothy Rodrigues Britannie Jiselle Rodriguez Cynthia Andrea Rodriguez
Allen Saephan Elina Sahagun Muaz Saiyed Jovonna Toni Salazar Alejandra Salgado Gabriela Selena Sanchez Sylvia Sanchez* Ariana Sanchez Alvarez Anakaren Sanchez-Zuniga Manmeet S. Sandhu Gurbeer Singh Sangha Sandra Santiago Lizeth Santillan Miriam Santos
Marisol Amelia Soto-Delatoba* Aderayo Aderinsola Soyemi Juanita K. Sprowell*** Jesus Francisco Suarez Yesica Suarez Chocoteco Mohammed Zain Anees Subedar Vlora Suma* Aron O. Sverdlov Julie Ta* Anderson Quan Tang Faith Rose Taylor Mennen Tefferi Thomas McEwen Templeton Noel Fausto Tenorio
Hanah Marie Sargent*
Jessica Montserrat Teran Salazar
Sebastian Sarkisian
Martin A. Terrones
Conniemarie Saucedo
Shouapa Thao
Christina Esparza Schaefer
Yer Mary Thao
Timothy Arthur Schwartz**
Kiranjeet Kaur Thiara
Varun Senthil
Roxanne Marie Thomas
Roisin M. Shannon***
Jasmine M. Tieu
Jasper Hyun Shin
Antonio J. Toney
Jagpreet Kaur Sidhu
Joanna Liseth Torres
Victoria Crystal Sierra
Laura Torres
Maria Elena Sifuentes
Mayra Araceli Torres
Andres Esteban Silva
Connie Tran
Christina Roshni Silva
Mauricio Yahir Trejo Najera
Nancy Lee Simmons
Sharon Linh Trinh*
Mamta Sharmeel Singh
Vuong Clinton Truong
Daryn Imani Smith
Simon C. Uche, Jr.
Nicholas Alexander Rusbarsky
Russell Barrett Smith
Marilyn Giselle Ufrazio
Lawrence Lamar Rush
Sangeeta Kumari Songu
Jessica Valdez Guzman
Cosme Soto Alvarez
Kevin Valdivia
Iris Yanely Rodriguez Nicole Rocio Rodriguez Maria Teresa Rodriguez Alday Brandon Rodriguez Luna* Franchesca Rojo Christian John Romero Cynthia Romero Erik Valdo Romero** Maritza Romero Laura Alejandra Rosales Cindy Jaqueline Rosas Elizabeth Margaret Ruiz Yareli Elizabeth Ruiz Mireya Ruiz Dominguez Sydney Valette Armstrong Ruport
Class of 2018 | Saturday, May 12 Stephanie Lizette Valdivia
Guadalupe Eloisa Velazquez
Ashley Y. Wong
Selena Renee Valencia
Denise Vera Hernandez
Cordia Wong
Vanessa Valenzuela
Namita Vij
Gordon Kyle Wong
Victoria Ana Roxas Valle
Yesenia Villa
Alexander Kristian Wood
Amy Kia Vang
Gabriella Olivea Luciana Vinco
Erica Elise Woodson
Andres Vargas, Jr. Melissa Vargas-Murguia Cindy Sumi Vasquez* Hector Olivares Vasquez Andre Vazquez Jessica Beatriz Vazquez Antoinette Renae Vearrier Cristian Vega Valadez Tatiana A. Velasco Edward Francisco Velasquez Arleen Lilibeth Velasquez Lopez
Alison Jane Vining Sophie Marina Vo** Nancy Vue Cheyenne Monseray Wallace Noelle Cassidy Weber Allison Ann T. Wendlberger Patrik Aaron White
Ace Yang Raymond Yang Akhila Yechuri Marisela Y. Yepez Larry Yu* Ana L. Zarate Cano* Dariana Zermeno Huerta
Marcia Mendonca Wick Allison Alayne Wilbers** Dolores Isabel Williams Allison Michelle Wisdom
The commencement ceremony and program are not official confirmations of degree information. Academic Honors are not awarded until after the term in which all requirements are completed. To receive academic honors at graduation, an undergraduate student must achieve a grade point average within the top 2 percent of the student’s school for highest honors (***), the next 4 percent for high honors (**), and the next 10 percent for honors (*).
THE PEOPLE AND THE RESEARCH WERE THE TOP REASONS I CHOSE UC MERCED. IT WAS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOU COULD GROW. MARIO BANUELOS APPLIED MATHEMATICS DOCTORAL CANDIDATE | CLASS OF 2018
YOU GO TO OTHER UNIVERSITIES TO MEET COMPETITORS AND YOU COME TO UC MERCED TO MAKE FRIENDS. TOMANIK'E CHAMPAGNE BANKS PUBLIC HEALTH MAJOR | CLASS OF 2018
I’M REALLY HAPPY WITH HOW I SPENT MY TIME AT UC MERCED AND THAT I WAS ABLE TO DO SO MANY THINGS. ABBIE-LEIGH HANAE MENESES STUDENT ATHLETE AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES MAJOR | CLASS OF 2018
PROGRAM | SUNDAY, MAY 13 SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND SCHOOL OF NATURAL SCIENCES PROCESSIONAL MUSIC
“Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar
ACADEMIC PROCESSION
Candidates, Faculty, Senior Administration and Honored Guests
NATIONAL ANTHEM
“The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key
WELCOME REMARKS
THOMAS W. PETERSON
CHANCELLOR’S ADDRESS
DOROTHY LELAND
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Lenny Mendonca
STUDENT REMARKS
Eliezar M. Vigdorchik, Class of 2018
Performed by Michael Joseph Simon, Class of 2018
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Chancellor
Civic leader and entrepreneur
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES AND CONFERRAL OF DEGREES THOMAS W. PETERSON
MARJORIE S. ZATZ
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate Division
DOROTHY LELAND mark matusmoto Chancellor
Dean, School of Engineering
betsy R. dumont
ALUMNI REMARKS
KEITH ELLIS, Class of 2012
ALma mater
“My Merced”
CLOSING REMARKS
THOMAS W. PETERSON
RECESSIONAL MUSIC
“Sine Nomine” by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Dean, School of Natural Sciences
Alumni Association President
Performed by Katrina Llanillo Johnson, Class of 2018
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Sunday, May 13 L enny M endonca civ ic leader and ent r epr e ne ur
Lenny Mendonca is senior partner emeritus from the Washington, D.C., and San Francisco offices of McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm. He is a lecturer at Stanford Business School, managing partner of the Coastside News Group and founder of the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. Mendonca founded McKinsey’s U.S. state and local public sector practice, and led the firm’s knowledge development efforts for many years, overseeing the McKinsey Global Institute and the firm’s communications — including the McKinsey Quarterly. He served for a decade on the McKinsey Shareholder Council. Over the course of his career, Mendonca helped dozens of government, corporate and nonprofit clients meet their most difficult management challenges. He is the chair of New America and Children Now, co-chair of California Forward, and co-founder and chair of Fusecorps. He is the chair emeritus of the Bay Area Council and their Economic Institute, and was vice-chair of the Stanford GSB Advisory Council and was a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development. He serves on the boards of Fidelity Charitable, Western Governors University, Common Cause, The Educational Results Partnership, The College Futures Foundation, California Competes, The Opportunity Institute, Commonwealth Club, National Association of NonPartisan Reformers and The Guardian.org. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Board of Trustees for Junior Statesmen of America and the advisory boards of QB3, the Haas Center at Stanford University, Third Sector Capital and the Public Policy Institute of California. Mendonca received his MBA and certificate in public management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University. He is a native of the Central Valley, the grandson of Portuguese immigrants and grew up on a family dairy farm in Turlock.
Class of 2018 | Sunday, May 13 Candidates for doctoral degree from the School of Engineering
Weijie Zhao
Soheil Fatehiboroujeni
Yue Zhao
Mechanical Engineering Doctor of Philosophy
Rachel Theresa Hatano
IGP Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies Doctor of Philosophy
Duval Alan Johnson Mechanical Engineering Doctor of Philosophy
Vipawee Limsakoune
IGP Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies Doctor of Philosophy
Sifei Liu
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Doctor of Philosophy
Qin Ma
Environmental Systems Doctor of Philosophy
Sarah Elizabeth Martin Environmental Systems Doctor of Philosophy
Brandi L. Mckuin
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Doctor of Philosophy IGP Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies Doctor of Philosophy
Lawrence Oliver Anderson*** Hunter Nicholas Araujo Adrian Alberto Arellano Denise Santella Arindaeng Michael Avugwi
Jaspal Singh Atwal
Armando Banda
John Walter Baker, Jr.
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Master of Science
Noe Saul Banuelos
Hanlin He
Teryn Lazette Batiste
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Master of Science
Han Kai Hsu
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Master of Science
Tapish Rathore
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Master of Science
Jun Hyung Shin
Environmental Systems Doctor of Philosophy
James William Roche
Christina Tham
Anley Emanuel Tefera
Michael Tesfaldet Andemeskel
Candidates for master’s degree from the School of Engineering
IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Master of Science
Environmental Systems Doctor of Philosophy
Dylan Christopher Amezcua
Environmental Systems Master of Science
Enrique Barrera Nicholas Anthony Bautista Mariam Beg Anna Rosa Beltran Isabella Margarita Beltran Avery John Berchek*** Trenton Berner Isa Islam Bey Bryed Treyman Billerbeck Aleksandr Brodskiy Christopher Gerald Bruno Jill Cabantac David Cabral* Kening Cai
IGP Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies Doctor of Philosophy
Candidates for baccalaureate degree from the School of Engineering
Joseph Aquino Camaddo
Shih-Ming Tsai
Amanda Abalos
Sebastian Xavier Carrillo-Maldonado
IGP Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies Doctor of Philosophy
Bennett Kuang Tai Widyolar Environmental Systems Doctor of Philosophy
Lian Elizabeth Wong
IGP Biological Engineering and Small-scale Technologies Doctor of Philosophy
Kevin Christoph Alfonso Adriano
Asbury Ocampo Cao Andrew Stuart Cardozo
Luis Fernando Castellanos
Irian Aguiluz
Jahzel Castillo
Mohamed Hassan Ajam
Gurjit Singh Chahal
Ajee Lantey Akintunji
Gurtinder Chahal
Ethan Michael Albrigo
Kaycee Chang
Miguel Aleman
Yun Chul Chang*
Jeffrey Riaz Ali
Brian H. Chen
Class of 2018 | Sunday, May 13 Jacky Zhihong Chen
Charles M. Gray*
Zhi Peng Lu***
Jesse Chen
Steven Guevara
Rodolfo Luevano
Tzu-Huai Chen
Denise Lizette Gutierrez
Blair Dolores Macleod
Wesley Christopher Chen
Clayton Robert Guy
Gibran Mustafa Mahmud
Chun Leung Justin Cheung
Kaito Hakamata
Christopher Martin Mair
Kelvin Cheung
Benjamin Nus Hang
Robert Rosario Manuel, Jr.
Asia Con Chi
Ebelin Hernandez
Benjamin David Marshall**
Aaron Thomas Chiang
Juan Carlos Hernandez, Jr.
Daniel Bruce Martin
Merari Daniel Cisneros
Victor Hugo Hernandez
Robert Anthony Martin*
Joshua Elliott Clegg
Hayley Michelle Huerd*
Florentino Martinez
Morgan Spencer Cooney
Daniel Richard Hunt*
Itzel Ayamahen Martinez
Christian Joel Diaz
Shahrier Hussain
Alejandra Martinez Lopez
Lourdes Virginia Diaz
Kenny Hao Nhien Huynh
Leonard W. Massey, Jr.
Matthew David Dirks
Ryan Sakae Ishizu
Kevin Yoel Mazariegos
Kambi Dubey
Shaquil Mohammed Janif
Marina Medina
Kathleen Engracia Durias
Edgar Jesus Jimenez
Edgar Mejia
Akaash Nand Dutt
Joshua Wayne Jones**
Gregory Nikolaos Mellos**
Joseph Carlyle Ellett, III
Agnes Wambui Kagiri
Rosalino Arturo Mendez
Emma Valeria Favela Lugo
Michael David Kalua*
Manuel Gerardo Meraz
Alejandro Jose Ferrer- Ruiz
Harjinder Kaur
Daniel Anthony Meza
Gustavo Flores, Jr.
Timothy Kim*
Joseph Gregory Milton
Rolando Flores Morales
Kristofer Timothy Kline
Austin Harlow Mittman
Jeffrey Christian Foreman
Chatanya Konda
Tomas Monroy
Basia Clarice Gabela-Zuniga*
Derek Kwan
Armando Luis Montanez***
Vincent Gamboa Gallardo
Benjamin Oh Sung Kwon
Gustavo Jr Montero Contreras
Eric Gambetta-Guglielmana
Malachi Edward Landavazo*
Beatriz Morales Perez
Jonathan A. Garache
Miguel Andre Lane*
Stephanie M. Mose
Alexus Maria Garcia*
Marcus Lee
Victor Nadtochaev
Adam David Garza
Hang V. Liang
Shubham D. Naik
Brendan Paul Geck
Gloria Denise Labagnao Ligunas
Matthew John Nakaki**
Adiam Daniel G-Egzabher Yosief Issak Ghebresilasie Zachary Noble Gill Gregory Peter Girardi** Jose Manuel Gonzalez Michael John Grant
Liangming Lin Sherman Lin Jake Avery Lincoln Jonathan Paul Min-En Liu Jonathan Kue Lo Rigoberto Charles Lopez
Reinard Jeffrey T Nambayan Viridiana Michelle Navarro Reign Nelson Benjamin Curt Nilsen** Jocelyne Novoa Marin Lea O’Brien
Class of 2018 | Sunday, May 13 Daniel Juarez O’Connell
Rubalcava-Cruz**
Eliezar M. Vigdorchik
Andrew Edward O’Connor
Brandyn Reinhard Ryan
Nicholas Francis Waterman
Kevin James Ong
Eva Maria Salas
Colin Wong
Maria Klarissa Galang Ongpauco
Dominick Miles Salazar
Roman Wong
Jesus Armando Salcedo
Kosuke Yamada
Lisa Vanessa Salmeron
Paolo Miranda Yap
Sanketh Salveru
Julia Lee Young
Jesus Felipe Osuna Contreras
Daniel Eduardo Sanchez Garrido
Freddie Zamora-Cedillo
Furkan Kazim Ozedirne
Ian Lloyd Sather
Eleazar Pacheco
Logan Ray Ngin Seid
Salvador Thomas Padilla
Quratulaien Fatima Shah
Randall Anthony Soriano Paez
Jacob Michael Shelton
Ronnie James Dulay Panaligan
Angelo Pantig Sibal
Jesus Emmanuel Partida*
Jaspal Singh*
Yeash D. Patel
Isidro Solorio Jr.
Applied Mathematics Doctor of Philosophy
Christine Ashley Pedersen
Austin D. Stratton*
Paul George Barghouth
Jovani Perez
Edgar Reinhart Surya
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Julio Cesar Perez
Mark Ta
Johannes Joachim Brust
Edgar Perez-Lopez
Buenbien Vhinno Tan
Jonathan Nathan Peters
Jan Tanja
Michael William Picot
Muqqaddas Tariq
Jay Poovakan
Dawit Tekeste
Bret Daniel Potter*
Kevin Tien**
Elizabeth Patricia Pulido
Breena Marina Torquato
Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Daisy Rocio Ramirez Lopez
Alonso Torres
Alessandro Roberto Castelli
Javier Ramos
Emmanuel Torres
Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Christopher Scott Reed*
Nimitt Tripathy
Jiba Nath Dahal
Christopher Ryan Reps
Brian Andrew Tsan
Andres Reyes
Cristina Marie Vargas
Majok Francis Ring
Ulises Gabriel Vargas
Christina Dawn Robinson
Roger Vargas Ramirez
Michiro Robinson*
Sandy Joanna Vasquez
Joseph Chaves Rocha
Carlos Ignacio Vazquez
Juan Antonio Rodriguez
Isaac Josue Velasquez
Armando Rodriguez Vazquez
Rahul Vemuri
Jose Artemio
Heriberto Jr Vicencio
Olayinka Olabode Oredola* Diana Orta Melissa Katie Osia
Candidates for doctoral degree from the School of Natural ScienceS
Mohamed Yousry Aboukilila Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Mario Banuelos
Applied Mathematics Doctor of Philosophy
Dana Lynn Carper
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Joshua G. Casara
Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Devon Charles Cardoso Davidian
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Alison Aiko Huff
Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Nader Inan
Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Class of 2018 | Sunday, May 13 Cameron Lamar Jennings Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Travis Joseph Lawrence
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Qiaochu Li
Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Rory Alexander Locke Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Charles Nathan Melton Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Portia Mae Mira
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Makiko Tsukamoto Quint Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Shagun Rawat
Applied Mathematics Doctor of Philosophy
Melissa N. Ricketts Physics Doctor of Philosophy
Simar Jeet Singh
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy
Max Thorwald
Quantitative and Systems Biology Doctor of Philosophy Candidates for master’s degree from the School of Natural Sciences
Asa Francis Gardner Jr.
Quantitative and Systems Biology Master of Science Candidates for baccalaureate degree from the School of Natural Sciences
Reymundo Aguilar Gonzalez
Melina Monique Bobadilla
Jed Yambao Alfonzo
Ronan Christopher Bradley
Daisy Daniela Alvarado
Ashley Renae Brauchler*
Tzitlali A. Alvarado
Gabrielle Renee Bresson
Anthony L. Alvarez
Cory Bristow
Julia Adrianna Alvarez**
Dilpinder Singh Buttar
Cassandra Adora Alviz
Luis Cabanillas
Alyssa Gonzalvo America
Shirley Josefina Calderon
Christian Alex Amezquita
Susana Calderon**
Kristel Aprille Evangelio Andal
Candice Cam
Joshua Ifunanyachukwu Anwul
Jesus Campos Gatica
Joshua Apostol Angelo Robert Aragon Giovanni Arceo Marlenne Consuelo Arellano Gilberto Arroyo Jessica Denisse Arroyo Ian-Emmanuel Gorospe Arucan Gabriella Elena Arzate* Andrea Ascencio Murillo Julianne Wood Ashby Sofia R. Ayala Amy Thi Bach Taniya Badwal Amna Bibi Baluch Harace Samuel Bangah Natalie Banh Karelly Mariel Barajas* Alejandra Barajas-Diaz Roxanna Barragan Theodore Baza
Mounika Reddy Aavula
John Manuel Becerra, III*
Tatiana Abdulnour
Noah Paul Bessard
Caryl Joyce Agleam
Brandy Macayla Bibb
Melissa Aguilar
Noella Bih
Juan Carlos Campos-Ledezma Sabrina Marie Carpenter* Erika Carreno Manuel Carrillo Jr. Andres Casas Salvador Castaneda Barba Gabriela Castro Javier Castro Jr. Jonathan Edgardo Castro Cinthia Sarahi Castro Bautista Jamila Dasha Rayray Cayabyab* Katherine Chanthalangsy Zachary Mitchel Chatas Paul Santiago Chavez Alondra Chavez-Cruz Alexander Chen Huiyi Chen Kevin Chen Iheoma Regina Chieke Jose Alberto Chinchilla Giordan Moses Clutario Jordan-Autumn Devi Conley Austin Lee Conner Luis Contreras Raquel Contreras Vega
Class of 2018 | Sunday, May 13 Bethany Joy Cook
Eloisa Aide Garcia
Ken Huynh, Jr.
Diana Paloma Cortez
Jose Luis Garcia
Tin Ngoc Huynh
Rebecca Lauren Cosmero
Kathy Garcia
Stephanie Itzel Islas
Elizabeth Cruz
Nicolas Garcia
Taulelei Enriqueta Jackson
Patricia Jaqueline Cruz-Rivera
Steven Garcia***
Martha Agnes Jakubowski
Rosa Garcia-Caballero
Katrina Llanillo Johnson
Flavio Cesar Garcia-Ochoa
Pablo Juarez**
Faye Angela Ares Getubig
Lucy Njeri Kagiri
Hamelmal D. Gobezie
Ricky Kan
Adriana Karina Gomez
Pranuthi Kanneganti**
Carolina Gomez
Muhammad Karabala
Mariel Grace M. Gonzales
Peter Thomas Demitrios Karabinis
Karina Cuevas Cyrus Peter Dahm Rosemary Daluz Katrina Marie David Luis Enrique Davila Eduardo De Jesus Sabrina Serrano De Leon Jeanette De Loa Robert Dominic Degen*
Antonio Gonzalez III Arturo Gonzalez, Jr.
Arrada Karmonphet Satya Judith Karuppiah
Salvador Dela Cruz
Christina Del Rosario Gonzalez
Joel Delgadillo, Jr.
Emmanuel Gonzalez
Taranpreet Kaur
Jose M. Delgado
Julia Lucia Gonzalez
Katya Lien Tuyet Kha
Kaitlin Christina Delucchi
Ramces Gonzalez**
Alexa Marie Kostrikin
Selasie Amewusika De-Souza
Preston W. Griffin
Aditya Kumar
Harwinder Singh Dhillon
Kasandra Guerra*
Akanksha Kumar
Lisa Do
Dania Corina Guerrero
Samantha Leigh Larsen
Michael Minh Do
Michelle Guerrero
Hanh Thi Le
Gregory G. Dooman
Brenda Isabel Gutierrez Brizuela
Linsey Kimthanh Le
Evelyn Bernice Dumas Jennifer Claudia Echeverria Noha O. Elabed Carlos Jenar Espiritu Eltagunde*
Cristhian Gutierrez Huerta Iris Helena Guzman Leesa Annalyn Hagerman Christian Gregory Iglesia Hall
Kenya Gisell Estrada
Akil Hamsath
Tracy Mi Fang
Candace Colette Herb
Elizabeth Amber Farley
Jeanette Victoria Hernandez
Amy Denise Flores
Yanel Hernandez
Valeria Josephine Flores
Abraham Sayed Housini
Gerardo Flores Olmos
Tommy S. Huang
Alyson Lorraine Garcia
Jennay Kathryn Huerta
Devin Julian Garcia
Steve Joseph Hughes*
Karandeep Kaur
Eric Mojmong Lee Esmeralda Leon Jacob Nicholas Lewis Breeava Joyce Limbrick Molly Jean Lincoln Christie Meaghan Linh Jonas Konvalou Lo Yazmin Myrna Lommel* Jorge Edgar M. Lopez Rodolfo Lopez, Jr. Jose Lopez Noriega Jeanette Lopez-Ramos Daniela Lopez-Rodriguez
Class of 2018 | Sunday, May 13 Albert J. Ma
Diego Moreno
Justin Francisco Patton
Winston Hong Yee Ma*
Gaoly Amber Mouanoutoua
Jovanny Christian Pelayo
Clarisse Rochelle Macasaet
Mahrukh Mujeeb
Matthew James Pelfini
Isaura Mariela Macias*
Carol Joselyn Murguia Hernandez Gurshaan Nagra Eshita Nandini*
Elizabeth Pena
Maria Prisma Macias Cabrera Mark Magaway Jeremy Sheung Yee Mak* Ricardo Alejandro Maldonado Pooja Malhi Kara Marie Manuel Malig Ashley Chanel Marin Austin John Marler Deysi Denis Marquez Denzal Orlando Martin* Alejandra Martinez Joshua Regalado Martinez Maria Victoria Martinez Melissa Yvette Martinez Vanessa Martinez
Paula Christina Narcy George Samuel Nassif Alan Tuong Nguyen An Thien Nguyen Bichnhi Thi Nguyen Christine Hoang Nguyen Melissa Nguyen Namkha Nguyen** Tam Duy Nguyen Vivian Nguyen James Elgin Norman Maeve O’Brien
Evelyn Perez Lynnea Irene Perez Melissa Renae Perez Yanirong Phok Y Phun Daisy Yvonne Pineda Kimberly Lupita Pluma Sai Prasan Prabhakar* Stephanie A. Quezada* Ricardo Aparicio Quintero, Jr.* Alyssa Samantha Ramirez Ricardo Martinez Ramirez** Josue Ramirez Bonilla Osiris Yamileth Ramon Alex Ernesto Ramos
Elijah Alexander Maxfield
Matthew Spencer Natividad Ocampo
Joshua Matthew Maynard
Anais Belle Olivares**
Jamie Quinn Ranahan
Alicia Michelle Mejia
Brisa Del Mar Olivares
Harpreet Singh Randhawa
Salma Memon
Manuel Ortega III
Anna Olivia Rangel
Natalie Mendoza
Natalie Evelyn Ortez
Omar Rangel
Abbie-Leigh Hanae Meneses
Pedro Ortiz
Samantha Reveles
Zaia Sr Merza
Clarise Darlene Oseguera
Cecilia Lizeth Reyes-Almaraz
Alfonso Meza
Evan Salvador Padilla
Danny Rivas
Frutoso Meza
Miguel Enrique Padilla
Valeria Cardenas Rivera
Viviana Agustina Meza
Cydney Raquel Palecek
Yelizaveta Roberts
Amy Christine Miller
Stephanie Palma Morales
Rees John Robertson
Damien Dean Mills
Maricela Panduro
Itzel Rodriguez
Felix Euyoqui Mojica
Shen Kang Pang
Vanessa Guadalupe Rodriguez
Carina Montanez
Leslie Nichole Paredes
Karina Rojas Padilla
Iris Dayana Montes
Jacob T. Parker**
Cynthia Alejandra Rojero
Andi Montiel
Daniel G. Parra
Vicente Jose Morales
Paola Jaqueline Partida
Katia Mariela Roldan Camarillo
Cristian Danny Ramo
Johanna Romero
Class of 2018 | Sunday, May 13 Fazil Sadik
Gabrielle Marie Spalard
Lashia Tatyana Vang
Lonnie Chanhlynn Saetern
Daren Tyler Sue
Adan Antonio Vasquez
Lorena Salamanca
Yu Sun
Karen Michelle Vazquez Lopez
Michael Jonathan Salaz*
Tanya Vanessa Tafolla
Kenny Veliz*
Edelisa O. Salindo
Brandon Martin Tan*
Dan Tong Minh Viet***
Jonathan Aaron Sam
Russell James Tang*
Yvonne Vigil-Calderon
Sandeep Kaur Sanghera***
Chhaiyudh S. Tann
Brittany Nicole Villa
Damanpreet Kaur Sarai
Diego Tapia Silva
Veronica Valeria Villacorta
Salamasina Anastasia Satele
Mina Samir Tawfick
Stephanie Villagran
Nivia Savio
Edgar Antonio Torres
Frank John Volpa, IV
Rachael Ann Schaefer*
Ryan Jacob Torres
Olivia Nora Schmitz
Yvonne Leticia Torres
Thilini Samitha Wickramarachchi
Jacob Lawrence Schulke
Louisa Tostado
Joshua Steven Segales***
Nathan Chung Jing Toy
Kimberly Seng
Derek T. Tran
Julie Sengphong
Khanh Nhut Ho Tran
Antony Xavier Shenny
Jenny Trau
Michael Joseph Simon
Aurora Gabriela Trejo
Nickolas Joseph Simon
Timothy T. Trisnadi
Amninder Singh**
Amairani Verenice Valdivia
Khushboo Aartika Singh**
Clint Hezekiah Valencia
Cole William Smith
Samael Antonio Valle
Elizabeth Snavely
Angela Van
Sage Spyder Sorensen***
Emilee Vang
Karina Soria-Pimentel
Kandyce Paaj Ntsaim Vang
Steven Soto
Kyle Tsimnuj Vang
Sung Yip Wong Jonathan Duangchun II Wongsavanh* Simon Xi Wu Maihoulang Xiong Tristan Yuepheng Yang Elliott Ming Yim Sweta Yonjan Wendy Tzu Ping Yu Alondra Jordanna Zambrano Amy Zhou De Zhen Zhou*** Guadalupe Elizabeth Zuniga
The commencement ceremony and program are not official confirmations of degree information. Academic Honors are not awarded until after the term in which all requirements are completed. To receive academic honors at graduation, an undergraduate student must achieve a grade point average within the top 2 percent of the student’s school for highest honors (***), the next 4 percent for high honors (**), and the next 10 percent for honors (*).
AWARD RECIPIENTS | Class of 2018 UC M ERCED L EADE RS H IP AWAR D S Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Award SOHEIL FATEHIBOROUJENI The Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Award is the highest leadership award given to a graduating student who has pioneered new opportunities for those who follow.
Distinguished Leadership Award NIA KAMIL JONES The Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes an undergraduate student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in the past academic year.
Outstanding Graduate Student Award ANLEY EMANUEL TEFERA The Outstanding Graduate Student Award recognizes a graduate student for exemplary leadership, service and commitment to our campus community.
Social Justice Leadership Award MAURICIO YAHIR TREJO NAJERA The Social Justice Leadership Award recognizes a student who has advocated for equity and inclusively while positively impacting the UC Merced campus and surrounding community.
NIH MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Scholar PABLO JUAREZ KENNY VELIZ The NIH MARC U-STAR is awarded to honors students majoring in biomedical or behavioral sciences who have expressed interest in pursuing postgraduate education leading to the Ph.D., M.D. – Ph.D., or other combined professional degree – Ph.D. in these fields upon completing their baccalaureate degree.
SPECIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS | CLASS OF 2018 OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS | graduate division Eugene Cota-Robles Fellow PATRICIA CABRAL, Doctor of Philosophy, Psychological Sciences
Faculty Mentor Program Fellowship ANLEY EMANUEL TEFERA, Doctor of Philosophy, IGP Biological Engineering and Small Scale Technologies MAKIKO TSUKAMOTO QUINT, Doctor of Philosophy, Physics
Fletcher Jones Fellowship MARIO BANUELOS, Doctor of Philosophy, Applied Mathematics
Graduate Dean’s Dissertation Fellowship JOHANNES JOACHIM BRUST, Doctor of Philosophy, Applied Mathematics JOSUE ALEJANDRO FRANCO, Doctor of Philosophy, Political Science CAMERON LAMAR JENNINGS, Doctor of Philosophy, Physics TRAVIS JOSEPH LAWRENCE, Doctor of Philosophy, Quantitative & Systems Biology MAKIKO TSUKAMOTO QUINT, Doctor of Philosophy, Physics PETER JOSEPH RESCHKE, Doctor of Philosophy, Psychological Sciences RHEA RIEGEL, Doctor of Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Humanities JESSICA MARIE ROSS, Doctor of Philosophy, Cognitive and Information Sciences MAX THORWALD, Doctor of Philosophy, Quantitative and Systems Biology LIAN ELIZABETH WONG, Doctor of Philosophy, IGP Biological Engineering and Small Scale Technologies WEIJIE ZHAO, Doctor of Philosophy, IGP Electrical Engineering and Computer Science KIM CHERYL MCMILLON, Doctor of Philosophy, IGP World Cultures
President’s Dissertation Year Fellowship JOSHUA G. CASARA, Doctor of Philosophy, Physics TREVOR Z. JACKSON, Doctor of Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Humanities CHANITA INTAWAN, Doctor of Philosophy, Political Science
OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS | undergraduate School of Engineering MATTHEW JOHN NAKAKI, B.S., Bioengineering AVERY JOHN BERCHEK, B.S., Computer Science and Engineering ARMANDO LUIS MONTANEZ, B.S., Computer Science and Engineering MORGAN SPENCER COONEY, B.S., Environmental Engineering LAWRENCE OLIVER ANDERSON, B.S., Materials Science and Engineering ZHI PENG LU, B.S., Mechanical Engineering ELIEZAR M. VIGDORCHIK, B.S., Mechanical Engineering
School of Natural Sciences KENNY VELIZ, B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Human Biology JULIA ADRIANNA ALVAREZ, B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Molecular and Cell Biology SANDEEP KAUR SANGHERA, B.S., Chemical Sciences emphasis in Biological Chemistry LUIS ENRIQUE DAVILA, B.S., Earth Systems Science, minor in Natural Sciences Education DE ZHEN ZHOU, B.S., Physics emphasis in Mathematical Physics JOSUE RAMIREZ BONILLA, B.S., Applied Mathematical Sciences emphasis in Economics, minor in Natural Sciences Education with Teaching Credential PABLO JUAREZ, B.S., Biological Sciences emphasis in Microbiology and Immunology, minor in Natural Sciences Education
School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts MONICA ADRIANA PERALES, B.A., English VERENIZE ARCEO, B.A., History SIMERPREET KAUR, B.A., Psychology NATALIE TATIANA FROST, B.S., Management and Business Economics KATRINA B. ARGAMOSA, B.A., Sociology
ACADEMIC SENATE AWARDS | 2017 – 2018 As we celebrate our graduates’ achievements, the UC Merced Academic Senate also congratulates the 2017-2018 Senate Award winners. Each year, the senate recognizes distinguished faculty who achieve excellence and bring distinction to the university through research, teaching and service.
Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching by a Senate Faculty Member DR. LAURA BEASTER-JONES, School of Natural Sciences DR. ASHLIE MARTINI, School of Engineering The Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching by a senate faculty member award encourages and recognizes excellence in teaching at the undergraduate level.
Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching by a Non-Senate Faculty Member DR. MUFADHAL “MAK” M. AL-KUHLANI, School of Natural Sciences The Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching by a non-senate faculty member award encourages and recognizes the outstanding work and contributions of a non-senate faculty member in teaching undergraduates at UC Merced.
Distinguished Graduate Teaching and Mentorship DR. MIKE CLEARY, School of Natural Sciences The Distinguished Graduate Teaching and Mentorship award encourages and recognizes individual excellence in teaching at the graduate level and mentorship of graduate students.
Distinguished Early Career Research DR. CHRISTINE ISBORN, School of Natural Sciences The Distinguished Early Career Research award encourages and recognizes a non-tenured faculty member for research and/or other creative activities that have had a major impact on the field, either through a sustained record of contributions or through a specific, highly influential contribution.
Distinction in Research DR. AJAY GOPINATHAN, School of Natural Sciences The Distinction in Research award encourages and recognizes a tenured faculty member for research and/ or other creative activities that have had a major impact on the field, either through a sustained record of contributions or through a specific, highly influential contribution.
Dr. Fred Spiess Distinguished Service to the Academic Senate DR. ANNE ZANZUCCHI, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts The Dr. Fred Spiess Distinguished Service to the Academic Senate award recognizes a faculty member who has performed outstanding service to the Academic Senate, campus and/or systemwide, and whose contributions have had a major impact on faculty governance.
Distinguished Scholarly Public Service DR. YANGQUAN CHEN, School of Engineering The Distinguished Scholarly Public Service award recognizes a faculty member who has energetically and creatively applied his or her professional expertise and scholarship to benefit the local, regional, national or international community.
Excellence in Faculty Mentorship DR. MARCOS GARCÍA-OJEDA, School of Natural Sciences The Excellence in Faculty Mentorship award encourages and recognizes individual excellence in faculty mentorship and the creation of an environment in which faculty can flourish.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, merced leadership A DMIN I S TRATI V E Dorothy Leland
Chancellor
Luanna Putney
AC ADE M IC THOMAS W. Peterson
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Gregg Camfield
Associate Chancellor and Senior Advisor to the Chancellor
Vice Provost for faculty and Professor
Elisabeth Günther
Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education
E. Edw. Klotzbier
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate Division
Chief Campus Counsel
Vice Chancellor Chief External Relations Officer
Veronica Mendez
Vice Chancellor Chief Financial Officer
Michael McLeod
Vice Chancellor Chief Operating Officer
Charles Nies
Vice Chancellor Student Affairs
Sam Traina
Elizabeth Whitt Marjorie S. Zatz
BETSY R. Dumont
Dean of the School of Natural Sciences
Mark Matsumoto
Dean of the School of Engineering
Jill Robbins
Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts
Ann Kovalchick
Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer
Haipeng Li
Vice Chancellor Research and Economic Development
University Librarian
Michael Reese
Senate Chair and Professor of History
Vice Chancellor Emeritus Senior Advisor to the Chancellor
Susan D. Amussen Kurt Schnier
Senate Vice Chair and Professor of Economics
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BOARD OF REGENTS Appointed Regents MARIA ANGUIANO RICHARD C. BLUM GARETH ELLIOTT HOWARD “PETER” GUBER GEORGE KIEFFER SHERRY L. LANSING HADI MAKARECHIAN PAUL MONGE ELOY ORTIZ OAKLEY LARK PARK JOHN A. PÉREZ RICHARD SHERMAN
ELLEN TAUSCHER CHARLENE ZETTEL
Ex Officio Regents JERRY BROWN GAVIN NEWSOM ANTHONY RENDON TOM TORLAKSON JANET NAPOLITANO J. ALBERTO LEMUS FRANCESCO MANCIA
TRADITIONS AND SYMBOLS Regalia Academic ceremonies, with their gowns, mortarboards, tassels, hoods and maces are colorful traditions handed down from European universities of the Middle Ages. The first organized institutions of learning took form during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, generally under the jurisdiction of the church. Academic regalia, as we know it today, evolved from the robes, hoods, and caps worn mainly for warmth in unheated buildings by the clerics, monks, and priests who were the first students. While European universities continue to show great diversity in their academic dress, American universities, in 1895, adopted a code of academic uniformity. The colors, designs, and opulence used in the tassels, hoods, velvet and satin trimmings, and robes you see today designate everything from the level of degree held by the wearer, the field of study, and the institution from which the degree was earned. Agriculture Maize Arts, Letters, Humanities White Commerce, Accountancy, Business Drab Dentistry Lilac Economics Copper Education Light Blue Engineering Orange Fine Arts, including Architecture Brown Forestry Russet Journalism Crimson Law Purple Library Science Lemon Medicine Green Music Pink Nursing Apricot Oratory (Speech) Silver Gray Pharmacy Olive Green Philosophy Dark Blue Physical Education Sage Green Public Administration, including Foreign Service Peacock Blue Public Health Salmon Pink Science Golden Yellow Social Work Citron Theology Scarlet Veterinary Science Gray
The S eal of the U ni v ersity of C ali fornia The University of California has used two different seals over its lifetime. The present seal, which was authorized to be designed in 1903, was put into use in 1910. Designed by Tiffany and Company, the seal incorporates symbolic icons and phrases that represent the portrait of the image of the University. The open book is symbolic of the accumulation and dissemination of knowledge; the letter “A” highlighted in the text of the book represents the beginning of wisdom. Above the book is a five-pointed star emanating rays of light, which also represents the discovery and sharing of knowledge. The English translation of the university motto, “Fiat Lux,” or “Let There be Light” is displayed upon a scroll, representing the coming of light, knowledge and wisdom into the world. The date upon the seal is the founding date of the University. The Chancellor ’s M edal The Chancellor’s Medal is worn at ceremonial observances as a part of the chancellor’s regalia. At the center is the University of California seal. The back of the medal displays the names of the campus’s chancellors and year he or she was inaugurated. The UC M erced M ace The academic mace’s symbolism is derived from the mythological club of Hercules. During European medieval times, maces began to be used for civil purposes and were carried in processions of city mayors and of other dignitaries. Eventually the mace became a symbol also for academic institutions, an emblem of order and authority in the pageantry of ceremonial occasions. The mace stands for lawful power and regal authority, and was carried by Zeus, the Greek God of moral law and order. Most academic maces take the same general shape. At the top is an ornament placed on a bulbous head; ring-shaped enlargements are found on the shaft; and the base is a round, foliated ornament. The UC Merced mace was a gift from the Class of 2008, to represent the history, ideals and goals of the university. Local woodworker, Pope Lawrence, designed and created the ceremonial mace. The UC Merced mace was turned and assembled from walnut wood. The mace head is from a tree grown in the Central Valley area near Le Grande and the wood for the shaft came from a tree grown in Petaluma. The mace has a Chancellor’s Medal inset in the head and a California Sesquicentennial “Diversity” coin in the base.
Since UC Merced’s inception, each graduating class has carried on the tradition of giving a gift to the university, leaving a legacy for future Bobcats to come. The UC Merced Class of 2018 has contributed to their alma mater and will be recognized for their philanthropic support through the installation of Bobcat Bricks on campus. Every personalized brick recognizes each donor’s journey and will help pave the future of UC Merced. Be a part of the tradition by supporting the 2018 Class Gift online at giving.ucmerced.edu/bobcat-brick-commencement-2018.
LE T TH E JO U R NEY C O NT IN UE … Today, UC Merced is proud to welcome the 13 th graduating class into the UC Merced Alumni Association – expanding to over 9,000 members. With regional chapters, annual events and the establishment of new traditions, the UC Merced Alumni Association serves as a bridge for alumni to maintain a lifelong relationship with their alma mater.
UC Merced alumni are valued members of the university community and important advocates who contribute to the campus through their leadership, public service and philanthropic support. Alumni continue to make an impact on campus and in their respective communities, aiding in the advancement of the university’s mission.
UC MERCED ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Learn about how to get involved and how to give back, visit alumni.ucmerced.edu.